- TRAVEL BLOG -

A JOURNEY AROUND EUROPE

 01 GREECE
The birthplace of
02 ITALY
Starting point of
democracy, creation of Western civilization,
MY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

the Olympic Games and famous for art, music,

unique architecture style and iconic food

03 FRANCE
Croissants, baguettes,
04 BELGIUM
Capital of the European
gorgeous architecture Union, waffles and
cheese, wine, Disneyland scientific breakthroughs

05 SCOTLAND
Ancient castles,
breathtaking landscapes
and friendly people
 01
GREECE
 My spectacular journey across
Europe will start in Greece, also
named ”Land of the Gods” in ancient
Greek literature and mythology.
With its historic ruins, volcanic
cliffs and friendly locals, Hellada
amazes the traveller at every step.
Idyllic beaches, warm weather and
breathtaking history are only a few
of the reasons why Greece is one of
the most beautiful countries of
LAND OF GODS

Europe.

LAND
OF THE
GODS
 The city flourished during
classical antiquity and was
the birthplace of Socrates,
Pericles, and Sophocles. More
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT IN GREECE

than just a relic of its

glorious past, today Athens is
a bustling and modern capital
city and home to some of the
country's most important
ATHENS tourist attractions.

A symbol of Western
Civilization at its
most magnificent,
Athens' illustrious
history stretches back
more than 3,000 years.
 Temple of Olympian
The Acropolis Plaka Zeus
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ATHENS

A reminder of the glory Narrow cobblestone Dedicated to Zeus, it was

of ancient Athens, the streets showcasing huge the largest temple in
Acropolis was the center trees in full bloom, tiny ancient Greece. More than
of the ancient city and shops selling all kinds a hundred enormous marble
functioned as a citadel of local art and hip columns once supported
in its protected hilltop cafes with outdoor the grandiose sanctuary.
location. seating.
WHERE TO STAY IN ATHENS

The best areas to stay in Athens are Plaka,

Syntagma and Monastiraki, the heart of the city
center. They are suited for tourists.

I will stay in the beautiful neighbourhood of

Plaka.
 Saganaki
Spanakopita Yellow, hard cheese (one of
Filo pastry filled with spinach, many kinds, such as kasseri
DELICIOUS FOOD IN ATHENS

herbs and cheese (mostly spicy or gruyere) is fried in a

feta cheese), spring onions, specific way that creates a
eggs and olive oil. crunchy crust.

Greek Salad
Bright red tomatoes, refreshing
cucumbers and Greek olives,
sprung with extra virgin Greek
olive oil and a large piece of
creamy feta cheese on top.
 Incredible sunsets, pearly
white buildings adorned with
bougainvillea, blue-domed
churches, and picturesque
windmills make Santorini a
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT IN GREECE

sought-after destination.
This Greek paradise attracts
people from around the globe
SANTORIN eager to witness its famed
sunsets of Oia, swim in hot
I springs, savor its cuisine,
and indulge in luxurious
resorts.

My next stop will be in

Santorini. The islands
that form Santorini came
into existence as a
result of intensive
volcanic activity. Twelve
huge eruptions occurred,
one every 20,000 years
approximately.
 Ammoudi Bay Red Beach Firá
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN SANTORINI

At the base of the cliffs You will set eyes on The capital of Santorini, Firá
rising to the town of enormous volcanic rocks is made up of whitewashed
Oia, the port of Ammoudi situated in the sea, sand cubic houses and terraces,
Bay glistens above of various colours, winding lanes, little squares,
sparkling turquoise mainly red, all along the and blue-domed churches
waters. beach and appealing dark perched on the cliffs 300
blue waters. meters above the caldera.
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTORINI

The majority of accommodation in Santorini is

made up of gorgeous-looking villas with a pool
and memorable sea views.

I will stay at Dream Luxury Suites, in

Imerovigli.
 Melitinia Fava
It is the most famous dish in
DELICIOUS FOOD IN SANTORINI

It is a delicious sweet cheese

pie made with fresh mizithra Santorini, a yellow split pea
cheese, sugar and mastiha purée. This creamy dish is
powder. served with olive oil and lemon.

White Eggplant
The volcanic soil of the island
makes the perfect place for the
white eggplant to grow. It has
fewer seeds and a sweeter
taste.
02 ITA
LY
 My journey across Europe continues
with Italy, known as ”Land of the
Cattle” in ancient times due to the
high abundance of bovines. There
are so many highlights in this
beautiful country — from the canals
of Venice to the Tuscan wine lands
to the cobblestone streets of Rome
to the Arno river running through
Florence to the cliffs of Positano…
LAND OF GODS

and beyond.

LAND OF
THE
CATTLE
 The result of 3000 years of
urban development, Rome's
cityscape is an exhilarating
sight. Ancient icons such as
the Colosseum, Roman Forum and
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT IN ITALY

Pantheon recall the city’s

golden age as caput
mundi (capital of the world),
while monumental basilicas
ROME tell of its history as seat of
the Catholic Church.

Rome was called the

“Eternal City” by the
ancient Romans because
they believed that no
matter what happened in
the rest of the
world, the city of Rome
would always remain
standing.
ROME

Lording it over the skyline, St Peter’s Basilica

towers over the Vatican, testifying to the ambition
of Rome’s Renaissance popes and the genius of its
game-changing architects. Elsewhere, ornate piazzas
and showy fountains add a baroque flourish to the
city's captivating streets.
 The Colosseum Pantheon Trevi Fountain
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ROME

Inaugurated in AD 80, the A striking 2000-year-old The Fontana di Trevi is a

50,000-seat Colosseum has temple, now a church, it flamboyant baroque
tiered seating encircling is an unique experience ensemble of mythical
the arena, itself built to pass through its vast figures and wild horses
over an underground bronze doors and gaze up taking up the entire side
complex where animals at the largest of the 17th-century
were caged and stage sets unreinforced concrete Palazzo Poli.
prepared. dome ever built.
WHERE TO STAY IN ROME

Monti is the oldest area of Rome. It used to

be a dangerous place where gladiators
lived, near the Colosseum. Now it is the
heart of the tourist attractions and home
for many restaurants with Roman cuisine.

I will stay at FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino, in

Rione Monti.
 Rigatoni Carbonara Pizza al taglio
This style of pizza is baked in large
Impossibly creamy pasta with raw square trays with a variety of
eggs, Pecorino Romano and toppings that range from simple
DELICIOUS FOOD IN ROME

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, all marinara (red sauce) to elaborate

topped with guanciale (Italian gourmet slices with local cheese,
cured pork cheek). vegetables and meats.

Gelato
No trip to Italy is complete
without eating a gelato (or
ten).
03
FRANCE
 The next country I will visit is
France, known as ”Land of the
Fierce” in ancient times due to the
franks tribes that used to live in
the region. France is about world-
class art and architecture. It
seduces with iconic landmarks known
the world over and rising stars yet
to be discovered. This country's
cultural repertoire is staggering –
LAND OF GODS

in volume and diversity.

LAND OF
THE
FIERCE
FRANCE

France seduces travellers with its unfalteringly

familiar culture, woven around cafe terraces, village-
square markets and lace-curtained bistros with
their plat du jour (dish of the day) chalked on the
board.
 Some of the most memorable things
to do in Paris include visiting
the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de
Triomphe and Notre-Dame
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT IN FRANCE

Cathedral. During the

evening, strolling through some
of the most picturesque
neighborhoods, like Montmartre,
or climbing the Montparnasse
PARIS Tower are a must.

Paris' monument-lined
boulevards, museums,
classical bistros and
boutiques are enhanced by
a new wave of multimedia
galleries, creative wine
bars and design shops.
 Eiffel Tower Versailles Jardin du Luxembourg
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PARIS

No one could imagine Among magnificently This inner-city oasis of formal

Paris today without its landscaped gardens, this terraces, chestnut groves and
signature spire. But enormous palace was built lush lawns has a special place
Gustave Eiffel only in the mid-17th century in Parisians' hearts. Napoléon
constructed this 324m- during the reign of Louis dedicated the 23 gracefully
tall tower as a temporary XIV – to project the laid-out hectares of the
exhibit for the 1889 absolute power of the Luxembourg Gardens to the
World's Fair. French monarchy. children of Paris.
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS

There is no “best neighborhood” for

visitors to stay in Paris.
Since Paris’s best things to
do are spread out around the city
center, there’s no “downtown”.

I will stay at Four Seasons Hotel

George V, in the 8th arrondissement.
 Duck confit
This classic French dish is made
by covering the duck with salt Salted butter caramels
and herbs and leaving it in the They were brought to fame by Henri
DELICIOUS FOOD IN PARIS

fridge for a few days, then Britanny in 1980 and offer a delicious
slowly cooking it in its own fat balance between sweet and salty
until it’s tender. flavours.

Macarons
The French macaron is said to
have been invented by Laduree
in the early 20th century.
BELGIUM

04
 The 4th country I will visit is
Belgium, known as ”Land of the
Breakthroughs” due to the multitude
of scientific discoveries, from
plastic to 4G internet. Belgium is
about medieval cities such as
Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent
with stunning architecture and a
rich military legacy. It’s a
beautiful blend of art-nouveau
mansions and gleaming skyscrapers,
art galleries and flea markets,
LAND OF GODS

chip stands and Michelin-starred

restaurants.

LAND OF THE
BREAKTHRO
UGHS
 The historic centre has the imposing
Grand Place in the middle, surrounded
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT IN BELGIUM

by mundane, often tawdry streets. In

among these, all within walking
distance, are impressive churches,
alluring shops, high-quality eateries
(including the legendary chip
stands), and splendid eccentricities
BRUSSELS such as the comic-book museum.

Belgium’s largest city and the

capital of the European Union,
Brussels is best known for its
diverse array of architectural
landmarks, as an administrative
center for some of the world’s
most powerful international
organizations and also for it’s
delectable desserts.
 Grand Place
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN BRUSSELS
La Grand Place is the historic
heart of Brussels, as well as
one of the most memorable
squares in Europe. This lively
cobbled square is part of the
most beautiful seventeenth-
century architectural ensemble
in Belgium.
Atomium Parc de Brussels
Designed as the symbol This pentagon-shaped park was
and principal pavilion of created in 1880 under king
the Brussels World Fair Leopold II to celebrate the
in 1958, this 50th anniversary of the Belgian
enormous 102 metre tall independence. It comprises a
sculpture of an atom has vast set of gardens and a
become the image of the triumphal arch with three
Belgian capital.  arches, built in 1905.
WHERE TO STAY IN BRUSSELS

Tourists will find the highest concentration of

attractions in the Old Town, Brussels’ historic
center, which is split into The Upper Town (Haut
de la Ville) and The Lower Town (Bas de la
Ville)

I will stay at NH Collection Brussels Grand

Sablon.
 Frites
The inspiration for French Gaufre
Fries, they tend to be crunchier Crispy and less doughy than their
DELICIOUS FOOD IN BRUSSELS

and the sauce on top is as American counterparts, they come

important as the frites with a large number of toppings,
themselves. Mayonnaise is the the most loved ones being whipped
classic topping. cream and Nutella.

Waterzooi
Creamy, soupish stew, dating
back to the Middle Ages, made
with fish, butter and eggs.
 05
SCOTLA
ND
 My breathtaking journey across
Europe will end in Scotland, which
was known to the romans as
”Caledonia”. Scotland has many
treasures crammed into its compact
territory – big skies, ancient
architecture, spectacular wildlife,
superb food and hospitable, down-
to-earth people.
LAND OF GODS

LAND OF
THE
SCOTS
SCOTLAND
Scotland is a land with a rich
history, a place where every corner of
the landscape is steeped in the past –
a deserted croft on an island shore, a
moor that was once a battlefield.
Scotland harbours some of the largest
wilderness areas left in Western Europe. In
this wildlife haven you can see golden eagles
soar above the lochs and mountains of the
northern Highlands, spot otters tumbling in
the kelp along the shores of the Outer
Hebrides, and watch minke whales breach off
the coast of Mull.
 Edinburgh is one of Europe’s
most beautiful cities, draped
FAMOUS PLACES TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND

across a series of rocky hills

overlooking the sea. It’s a
town intimately entwined with
its landscape, with buildings
EDINBURG and monuments perched atop
crags and overshadowed by
H cliffs.
It is the birthplace of the
Harry Potter novels.

The “Athens of the

North”, an 18th-century
Edinburgh nickname
dreamed up by the great
thinkers of the Scottish
Enlightenment, is a city
of high culture and
lofty ideals, of art and
literature, philosophy
and science.
 Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Zoo
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Castle has Opened in 1913, Edinburgh Zoo
played a pivotal role in is one of the world's leading
Scottish history, both as conservation zoos.
a royal residence (1058– Edinburgh's breeding program
93) and as a military has helped save many
stronghold. endangered species, including
Siberian tigers, pygmy hippos
and red pandas.
Arthur’s Seat
The rocky peak of
Arthur’s Seat (251m),
carved by ice sheets from
the deeply eroded stump
of a long-extinct
volcano, is a distinctive
feature of Edinburgh’s
skyline.
WHERE TO STAY IN EDINBURGH

Edinburgh is comprised of quite a few

neighbourhoods but, like all cities, some of
them are not the most attractive ones.
Reputedly one of the most haunted cities in the
world, you may come face to face with some of
its past residents.

I will stay at Radisson Blu Hotel, close to Edinburgh

Castle.
 Scottish Salmon
Scotland is a prime breeding
DELICIOUS FOOD IN EDINBRGH

ground for salmon, with water

that is as fresh as can be,
Scottish salmon is celebrated Sticky toffee pudding
globally for its terrific taste It consists of a moist sponge cake,
and perfect texture. toffee sauce and vanilla custard or
ice cream.

Shortbread
It has been a Scottish dessert
for years, with the first
printed version appearing in
1736.
THAN
K
YOU